‘The Meters Collection’: up-cycled jewellery
Three leading lifestyle and fashion bloggers have taken both inspiration and parts from old analogue energy meters to design stunning pieces of jewellery making the coming of smart meters, the passing of old meters and an end to estimated bills.
The bloggers, Kat Clark (Tales of a Pale Face), Taislany Gomes (Taislany.com) and Aftab Pathan (Fresh & Fearless), designed the jewellery using the inner workings of analogue electricity meters, which will be replaced, by smart meters in every home by 2020. They crowd-sourced ideas from their readers and took expert advice from North London boutique jeweller, tomfoolery, who went on to make the jewellery.
Blog readers now have the chance to win pieces from the Meters Collection by entering a simple competition. Each blogger has five pieces of the original design to give away. There are five statement gold necklaces, five silver collars, and five silver cuffs. The competitions can be entered through the individual blogs.
There are currently more than 4 million smart meters installed across Great Britain, helping consumers get their energy under control. By 2020 every home in the country will have been offered the opportunity to have smart meters fitted at no additional cost.
Claire Maugham, Director of Policy and Communications at Smart Energy GB, said:
"Who would ever think that you could create something so beautiful from parts of an old energy meter? These designers have really pushed the boundaries of creativity in designing these stunning pieces of jewellery, and the Meters Collection really stands out.
"This is an exciting piece of work transforming the old into the new. As smart meters are upgraded in every home by 2020, this seemed a fitting moment to immortalise analogue meters as readers around the country look forward to new smart meters and the transformation they will bring.
"When analogue energy meters are upgraded to smart meters by trained engineers, they are taken away and their parts recycled. This one-off jewellery project has been done under safe and controlled conditions and shouldn't be replicated at home, but the bloggers hope their readers will appreciate this unique chance to wear jewellery made from analogue energy meters."
Laura Kay, Director of tomfoolery, said:
"I didn't think it would be possible to create designs that would look so stylish from old meters, but the bloggers came up with some great designs!
"All three pieces ooze style and understated elegance. This really has been one of the most unusual and unique projects I have worked on but I'm sure, like me, the competition winners will be delighted with the finished article."
Smart meters mean an end to estimated energy bills. Consumers using smart meters will receive accurate bills based upon their actual usage. They also come with a handy in-home display that shows energy use in near real time and the cost, in pounds and pence.
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
All three competitions can be entered through the individual blogs. Alternatively, you can access the competition pages from 9am on 30 November 2016 via the links below. Terms & conditions apply.
Fresh & Fearless (Aftab Pathan) designed a polished sterling silver cuff that takes inspiration from the inner workings of an analogue meter, while also incorporating washers and screws from an analogue meter.
Tales of a Pale Face (Kat Clark) designed a signature gold necklace that incorporates washers and internal electrical components. An amethyst stone has also been added.
Taislany Gomes designed a collar made from sterling silver that incorporates a range of nameplates, with black diamonds to the front and rear of the chain.
Each blogger has confirmed that their competitions are available to all ages, but are limited to residents of England, Scotland and Wales where the rollout of smart meters is taking place.
Each blogger's competition starts at 9am on Wednesday 30th November 2016 and will close at midnight on Sunday 18th December 2016. Winners will be notified by email within two days of the close of the competition.
About Smart Energy GB
Smart Energy GB is the voice of the smart meter rollout. It's our task to help everyone in Great Britain understand smart meters, the national rollout and how to use their new meters to get their gas and electricity under control. Our national campaign has already begun and will reach all households and microbusinesses in England, Scotland and Wales.
About smart meters and the rollout
Smart meters will replace the traditional meters we currently have in our homes. They will provide consumers with accurate bills, near real time information on energy usage in pounds and pence, and greater control over their gas and electricity. The smart meter rollout is an essential technology upgrade, unprecedented in its scale, to improve Great Britain's energy infrastructure. Between now and 2020, everyone across England, Scotland and Wales will be offered a smart meter by their energy supplier at no extra cost. More than 4 million smart meters have already been installed across Great Britain. To find out how you can get a smart meter from your energy supplier, pick up a leaflet from your local Post office branch or visit smartenergyGB.org
Smart Energy GB media contacts
for more information including interview requests, case studies of smart meter users, infographics, photography and video content please contact the Smart Energy GB media team:
Smart Energy GB:
Stephen Shawcross: [email protected]; 0203 019 1057
Robbie Hurley: [email protected]; 0203 019 1062 / 07715 653 431